“He is qualified and well-respected,” Richardson said in explaining his selection. He declined to comment further.

The complaint alleges that Perry used bribery and coercion when he threatened to cut funding for the Travis County district attorney office's public integrity unit unless District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg resigned. Because the DA's office is involved in the complaint, a special prosecutor, also called an attorney pro tem, was necessary.

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In April, Lehmberg pleaded guilty to one count of driving while intoxicated. The Democrat served 22 days in jail but has maintained that she won't resign.

Perry vetoed the $3.7 million budget line item, saying in a statement that he “cannot in good conscience support continued state funding for an office with statewide jurisdiction at a time when the person charged with ultimate responsibility of that unit has lost the public's confidence.”

Travis County commissioners this month restored about $2.5 million of the unit's funding.

McCrum did not immediately return a phone call and email seeking a comment Monday.

He told the Associated Press his first steps would be to “go and get a preliminary analysis as to what is really necessary.” He added, “This matter requires that no rash judgment be made, that there be some careful considerations of all options.”